Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Even Native Americans Had Women Problems by Ginger Simpson

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h3771.html
I have a wonderful reseach book, Sitting Bull, Champion of the Sioux, by Stanley Vestal.  I keep going back to one chapter in particiular because it's a fun read...The One-Man Woman.

One would expect that a man as wise in battle as Sitting Bull would be able to handle a mere woman, but this book tells a different story.  Perhaps if he'd remained monogamous rather than taking a second wife, he would have avoided his predicament.  Let me summarize for you.

Sitting Bull first married a young woman named Light Hair.  Their marriage was happy, their home harmonous--until he married a second time.  This new wife, Snow-On-Her, it seems, was a nightmare from the get go.  Unlike most men who were smart enough to marry sisters and found they were more accepting of one another, Sitting Bull married a second wife who refused to act as a hand-maiden to the first wife and concubine to her husband.  In other words, she refused to take orders from Light Hair, and rather than resign herself to being wife #2, she insisted on sharing his bed every night, along with Light Hair.  With one wife clinging to one side, and the second woman securing the other, Sitting Bull was forced to sleep on his back...when he could sleep.  His muscles ached every morning, and a peaceful night was hard to come by with the women always arguing about one thing or another.

Men usually slept in only their breechclout in case trouble erupted during the night, but Sitting Bull would have been lucky to wrestle free from his wifely confines had that happened.  He often waited until both women were sleeping in order to free himself, roll over, and get comfortable, but not often enough to ease his pain, as one woman would likely awaken and the tug-of-war began again.

Despite his reprimands, his understanding and love of peace and harmony in his home were stretched to the limit.  His explanations of the role of the second wife fell on deaf ears, and "she (Snow-On-Her) made trouble from morning til night" as the author cites.

Snow-On-Her, like any jealous woman, planned to do away with her competition.  She embarked on a rumor spreading venture, portraying Light Hair as a cheating spouse.  This in turn enraged Light Hair, who had eyes only for her husband.  On a day when Sitting Bull was away, Light Hair turned to an older woman for help. After digging a shallow pit, they placed a gun, a knife and an arrow inside the hole, afterwards, she invited the entire camp to come forward.  The result was a meal where only women who slept with one man were welcome to eat.  Despite rumor's about Light Hair's being unfaithful, she waited for her nemisis to appear.  All the men in camp were also present.

The older woman stood and asked that any man who had physically known any of the women present to come forward and point her out.  The men were also invited to take up one of the weapons and take his oath on his choice.  If he swore falsely, the weapon would kill him.  Not one man came forward.

Light Hair did not feel vendicated.  She turned on Snow-On-Her and demanded she produce the partner with whom Light Hair had supposedly been unfaithful.  The anticipating stares and silence created a tense moment.  Snow-On-Her had nothing to say.  She pulled her robe over her head and elbowed her way through the throng while they pelted her with buffalo chips until she was too far away.  Dinner continued and Light Hair dined in triumph.

When Sitting Bull learned of the scandal, he sent Snow-On-Her back to her home.  One wife's honor had been proven, and the other had been the subject of ridicule.  Any wife of his must never be publicly considered ridiculous.  As the author says, "That night he (Sitting Bull) slept soundly."

Note from Ginger:  According to another resource, http://www.standingrocktourism.com/sittingbull/view.asp?ID=5,  Sitting Bull had four wives and twelve children.  He evidently didn't learn anything from his experience as this record indicates he later remarried Snow-On-Her on a reservation.  Maybe she recognized her role this time.  :)






Sunday, June 28, 2015

Opposites in Love series by Janet Lane-Walters ~ Jamie Dug It!


I was advised recently that an author shouldn't blog about, nor review, another author's book because that's sending readers to check out books other than her own. While I can see this might be true from a hard marketing standpoint, frankly, I just don't write fast enough to keep readers enjoying books by ONLY me. (LOL) I have a new novel release approximately twice a year. My friends and co-workers download the book and usually read it within a couple of days. Then they have six months to wait for the next book. So I don't feel like I'm hurting my sales when I bring to light another book I've read and enjoyed.

Recently, it's been a whole series. The last series I devoured like this one was Geeta Kakade's Homespun Romance series. This time it's medical romance by Janet Lane-Walters, the Opposites in Love series.

I read the Aries-Libra Connection first. Jenessa is a nurse and Eric is the Director of Nursing. They have a history that he remembers but she doesn't, which is his concern. They're also on different sides of the hospital union/administration, and she's not sure they have a chance for a future because of it.

Next was the Taurus-Scorpio Connection. Laurel has her own history and Alex has a son. They work at the same hospital as Jen and Eric, and their story is just as compelling and entertaining. I love seeing characters from past books and catching up with their story lines.

Janet's latest release is the Gemini-Sagittarius Connection, Liz and Jeff's story. I'm looking forward to this one a great deal. I understand there are a couple more books to come in this series, and I'm glad. Janet Lane-Walters writes true to life medical romance with characters I come to know and love. I'll gladly pick up one of her romance titles any day.

Find Janet's Books We Love titles here: http://bookswelove.net/authors/lane-walters-janet/






Saturday, June 27, 2015

Ginger's Still Sidelined

So Ginger is still sidelined with a bum leg after her fall. I think she's really just hooked on her Blue Bloods marathons and am totally jealous. When she's able to get back to her computer she'll have more wonderful, thought-provoking posts to share and hopefully something from her current work in progress, because we all agree she should be sitting there with a pad and paper writing in long hand, don't we???

Everyone have a great weekend, keep cool, and maybe eat a Snickers. You're not you when you're hungry, right?

Catch you on the flip side of the weekend. Sunday Snippets should return next week, good Lord willing and the creek don't rise...

Jamie

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Coming Soon ~ Cover of Darkness by Jamie Hill



My summer writing project is to complete book three in my latest series, Witness Security. Cover of Darkness tells the story of US Marshal Ben Markham  and ADA Addison Decker. 

Enjoy a preview of this coming soon title!



-----------------------------------------------------


Six months earlier
Kansas City, Kansas


“Let’s call it a night. Have a good one, you two.” Mitzi Pomeroy flipped the lock on the front door to her club then waved to the last remaining bartender and waitress. It’d been a busy night and her feet were killing her. She climbed the spiral staircase to the second floor and slipped into her office.

The plush sofa looked inviting, but she didn’t care to stick around any longer than necessary. It was freezing cold outside. She simply wanted to finish the last of her bookkeeping and go home to a warm bath and a glass of white wine. Her thigh-high boots were rubbing one leg wrong, so the first order of business was to remove them. She sat in her desk chair and unzipped the black leather, peeling the boots off one at a time. Picking them up, she swiveled and set the boots aside for another night. She had some warm Uggs to wear home.

Mitzi massaged the ball of one foot for a moment before firing up her laptop to go over the night’s receipts. Removing her cell phone from her pocket, she scrolled through messages for anything important. Nothing that can’t wait. She set the phone aside and turned her attention to her computer.

Business had been as brisk as the weather. Something about cold nights brought people to the club in droves. When she saw the impressive numbers she could only smile. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

A loud crashing noise from downstairs caught her attention. Something had fallen over. Dave and Tricia were normally quick about leaving. She couldn’t imagine they were still here.

Mitzi padded out to the hallway in her nylon stockings and leaned over the railing. “Dave?” she called loudly.

There was no answer.

“Tricia?”

Nothing.

Damn it. Slightly irritated, she trounced down the stairs to see what was going on. If those two were getting frisky in one of the rooms she might just let them have it. The place was closed. They could take that stuff somewhere else. 

The club was dark and quiet. She didn’t see anything out of place, and wondered what had made the crashing sound. She walked through the bar area and flipped on the first light switch she came to.

Dave was lying on the floor, a pool of blood forming under his body. Stunned, Mitzi covered her mouth with her hands. She bent down to look at his face and spotted a bullet hole in the middle of his head. She still didn’t understand exactly what had happened, but something was terribly wrong.

She turned and saw Tricia’s body lying a few feet away with another bullet hole and a similar pool of blood. Panic gripped her as terror coursed through her veins. Mitzi struggled to remain calm. Must call nine-one-one. 

Patting her pockets frantically, she remembered the cell was on her desk upstairs. No time for that, she hurried to the regular phone on the wall by the hostess’ stand. She grabbed the receiver, but before she could dial, another noise brought her focus back to the bar.

A man dressed in dark jeans and a black hoodie rose from behind the bar, his arms full of liquor bottles. He looked at Mitzi and his eyes narrowed.

She’d never forget the vicious expression on his face at that moment.

He yelled over his shoulder, “Someone else is here!”

Another man appeared wearing the same attire and carrying a loaded canvas bag. “Fuck!” he swore and dropped the bag. 

They’re robbing the place. She didn’t have time to complete her call. She had to get out—fast.

The second man reached behind his back and pulled out a revolver, aiming it at Mitzi.

She glanced around. There was nothing on the hostess stand except paper and pens, but right next to it was a table where they kept a bowl full of promotional giveaways. Currently, it held pink and black stress balls for patrons to take and use as desired. The balls had ‘pleasure or pain?’ printed on them. Mitzi had thought it was cute at the time she’d ordered them.

She grabbed one of the palm-sized rubber balls and chucked it at the head of the man holding the gun. Her aim was off and she missed. But he ducked, which gave her enough time to make a break for it.

Mitzi raced to the front door, unlocked it, and ran shoeless and screaming into the frozen night.
------------------

Coming this fall to Books We Love, Cover of Darkness, Witness Security, Book 3.



Tuesday, June 23, 2015

MURDER SHE WROTE....AND SHE HEARD ABOUT IT!

The picture at the left was taken at Walmart...you'll see my book on the "Bestseller's shelf" but my novel was only there a few minutes...just long enough to remove the book from my coat and take a snapshot.  :)  I figured when people ask if my book is at Walmart, I could say I saw it there once.  *lol*

I'm not mainstream material...I admit it.  I don't write to word requirements, and I hate the box your have to fit your story into.   I love small press because they allow you creative liberties you don't usually have, as long as you write it well.

 For a couple of years, I reviewed HQ medical romances...until I got totally sick of reading the same story with different names and locales.  Honestly...even if you write fiction, you have to use a little reality in your story.  I can't count how many times, I've read reviews that expressed their appreciation for the believability of the story.

So...I dare to write outside that stupid box.  Since I'm a pantser, my stories are all character driven, and when the hero or heroine stops talking, I stop writing.  I take the story as far as the character wants to go, and that's where it ends...whether it be 35,000 words or 95,000.

In Yellow Moon, one of my latest releases, I dared end with something other than the standard HEA.  Oh, if you look beyond, there is an HEA, just not the one expected.  A review I received gave me 4 stars.  She liked the romance, but didn't like the ending.  You can't please everyone, everytime.

NEWSFLASH!  I base my books on reality even though I write fiction.  I don't like stories tied into a neat little box, and I try to bring something a little different to the reading world.  What I've found?  Most readers want to escape their own lives, live in the shoes of a heroine or hero, and they aren't ready for the unexpected.  If you throw in a surprise ending, it upsets people, and they let you know it.  I guess Mainstream romance has taught folks to expect the hero to gallop in on a white stallion, rescue the damsel in distress, and ride off into the sunset together, to live a beautiful life, happily ever after.  Yuk!  Why can't he trample the heroine with the horse, pick up a secondary character and sweep her away to an expected future?  Okay...maybe  "trample" is a bit extreme, but you have to admit, you'd be surprised, and someone is living happily ever after, just not who you thought it would be.  To me, that's being creative.

Although my first instinct is to respond to those bitter reviews with "Write Your Own Book," I grit my teeth and move on.  I guess I'll never be as popular as those who write their stories to fit into tidy little boxes, but I enjoy being that different author.

Here's hoping there are some readers out there looking for me.  :)

If you are, you can find my books on Amazon.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Movie Quote Trivia ~ Father's Day Edition ~ Answers

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to check out my Movie Quote Trivia on Thursday. Here are the answers:

1) Easy

"I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you."

Answer: Liam Neeson played Bryan Mills in 2008's Taken.


2) Medium


"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

Answer: Gregory Peck played Atticus Finch in 1962's To Kill a Mockingbird.

 



3) Movie Buff


"Papa! Papa, don't, I'll say anything! Please, papa, I'll say anything you want, tell me what you want me to say and I'll say it... Papa please don't go!"

Answer: Skye McCole Bartusiak played Susan Martin, Benjamin Martin's daughter in Mel Gibson's 2000 movie, The Patriot.

Thanks for playing along!

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Still Sidelined...

Borrowed from Google Images
I apologize for my missing posts, but I'm still using my phone and confined to my recliner.  I'll be back soon.  My knee is getting better, and the othro doc says nothing is broken, just lots of stretches and swelling.  Youch!!!

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Movie Quote Trivia ~ Father's Day Edition

Time for another game of Movie Quote Trivia. This one is in honor of Sunday's Father's Day in the USA. I'll give you three quotes, ones I consider easy, medium, and Movie Buff! Can you name the movie and better yet, the character who said the lines? Try not to cheat!

1) Easy

"I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you."




2) Medium

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."




3) Movie Buff

"Papa! Papa, don't, I'll say anything! Please, papa, I'll say anything you want, tell me what you want me to say and I'll say it... Papa please don't go!"



Good luck! I'll post the answers next Monday. Thanks for playing along and Happy Father's Day!

Sunday, June 14, 2015

That's Egregious! by Jamie Hill

In preparing another blog post about reviews, I was looking for a word that meant something was both good and bad at the same time. (I still haven't put my finger on the word, so if you know what I'm trying to say, hit me up in the comments!) I stumbled upon egregious, which is such a fun word I had to look it up.

Egregious

 
adjective
 
1. extraordinary in some bad way; glaring; flagrant:

an egregious mistake; an egregious liar.



Synonyms: gross, outrageous, notorious, shocking.


Egregious is also good for 11 points in Scrabble and 14 points in Words With Friends, bahaha

It's not really what I was after, though. Some reviews are certainly egregious. Some are just plain stinkers. Some are so wonderful they can leave an author floating on air for days.

When I first started writing, reviews were much harder to come by. There were a handful of review sites and they generally had a lengthy waiting list of books to be reviewed. At that time, the e-publishing world was just breaking loose and suddenly there were more books than any site could handle.

Individuals with a love of reading and the ability to use Blogger discovered they could become reviewers, too, and many of my best reviews have come from these smaller sites and/or individuals. Many of them had a code, if a book was a stinker they'd just let it go and not post a really bad review. I appreciate them for doing that, because the bottom line is reviews are subjective. Purely subjective.

Some of the most popular books have gotten plenty of negative reviews, yet they've gone on to become movies, video games, action figures, etc., and earn the author millions. *sigh*

The past few years has shown a rise in the reader reviews at sites like Amazon. It's nice to allow readers to give their opinions, and I don't think there's an author out there who would criticize a genuinely thoughtful review. It might sting, but it might also bring up something for the author to keep in mind when writing the next book.

Family Secrets came out in 2006 the first time, and both of the main characters smoked. It wasn't as big of a deal ten years ago, but man, oh man, are people on me about that now. Many of the reader reviews mentioned how much they hated that Jack and Crystal both smoked. They were serious about it! (I got a little flack about the sex in the book. Okay, most of that was from my mom, but some from readers too. Yet the smoking seemed to be a much bigger concern.) In book two, my hero Brady started out as a smoker and quit by the end. And book three had no main characters who smoked. Zero. My mama didn't raise no dummy. (But I'm still a bit smuttier than she'd like.)

The negative side of Amazon reviews is that a 'reader' doesn't have to have read the book to post. I got one review on a book that's no longer available giving it one star because it was so short, the reader didn't even read it. *Blink* Excuse me?

Here's a couple of reviews for my novella On The Edge. It has several four and five star reviews like this one: 

"Surprisingly full story-line for such a short novella. I enjoyed this sweet romance with a good dose of suspense thrown in."

Then there's a one star review that says:

"Hated it. Don't buy it. Worse published book ever. Don't buy this trash. Also very short......BAD. Big disappointment
I read a lot of books and this was the worst."

Her grammar aside, I believe there's a compliment in there somewhere. Amazon has over a million books published at this very moment. If mine is indeed the 'WORSE PUBLISHED BOOK EVER', I want a plaque somewhere with my name on it.

Seriously, what good does a review like that do? Does it tell you why she didn't like the book (which she probably got free on one of the book's promo days)? Does it say anything about the plot or the characters? Or does it, perhaps, say more about the reviewer, who chooses to hide behind the name 'Amazon Customer'. Original, gal. Creative.

My publisher has started a campaign that whenever she sees a nonsense review like the one above, she marks it as 'unhelpful'. This makes it drop lower in the list of reviews and lowers the reviewers 'helpful' percentage. It's not much, but it's something we can do to say that while opinions are subjective--stupid, unhelpful reviews don't have to be tolerated. An author needs to overlook them and move on. Or blog about them for a little comic relief.

I'm still waiting for my plaque, by the way.

Find Family Secrets, On The Edge, my newest novel, Time To Kill, along with my other titles at Books We Love: http://bookswelove.net/authors/hill-jamie/

Visit my website: http://www.jamiehill.biz/


 

Saturday, June 13, 2015

SUNDAY SNIPPETS WITH GINGER #sundaysnips

Today, instead of sharing snippets of a book, I'm going to share an interview with Cassie from Betrayed.  I absolutely loved writing this book because it was based on a true story...something that actually happened to my sister when she met a man on the Internet.  Unbelievable how someone so charming and seemingly honest could take so many people on the ride of their life.  This was the first time I used an author's note to explain something to the reader.  Hope you'll give it a try.  I'm working on a sequel:  Deceived.  I guess from the titles, you can tell she doesn't have the best of luck with men.

“Go on   Get out there.  You promised to do this, remember?”  *Ginger pushing Cassie onto the stage*

*Cassie digs in her heels* “Okay, okay, I’m going, but I’d like to remind you that you’ve already put me through hell in that friggin’ book of yours.”

*She approaches the microphone and taps it* “Can everyone hear me?”  *smiles* “My name is Cassie Fremont and I’m the head female character in Betrayed. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to share with you that Ginger hasn’t already divulged in the story.  God knows she told you everything. *rolls eyes* I guess nothing is sacred when it comes to novels.”

*Pulls up nearby stool and inches her butt onto it. Heaves a big sigh, and runs her hands along her slacks while peering into the bright lights over the crowd.*  “Well, I promised her I’d make an appearance today, along with everyone else she’s invited, so I’ll get on with it.”

*Shrugs* “I’m a dolt   What can I say?  I found myself divorced, middle-aged and lonely.  I share a home with my mother because I don’t want her to live alone, but she pretty much keeps to her own part of the house. I have a lot of spare time so I entertain myself with the Internet. Don’t  we all spend time on the computer? Well, I happened across a dating site one night…big deal   I figured it wouldn’t hurt to join and see what happened.  I never expected anyone… Okay, that’s a lie.  I wouldn’t have joined if I hadn’t hoped someone would notice my post.  I just didn’t expect it would turn out like it did.”

*Cassie rises, pulls microphone from stand and walks toward edge of stage.* “I admit I was flattered at all of Evan’s flowery words and his Texas accent, but I have no idea what happened to my common sense.  I’m quite sure everyone was stunned to learn I let a virtual stranger move into my house… and my bed. *gazes down at stage*  I guess if you’ve never been afraid of growing old alone, you can’t fathom why I did what I did.”

*Pauses, pinches the bridge of her nose, then peers out at the audience again*
“I should have listened to my sister and brother, but I didn’t.  Instead, I flew into a rage and wrote them off.  For two long years, they weren’t part of my life, but I was so wrapped up in myself and Evan, I didn’t miss them until things got so bad I had no where else to turn.”

*Shakes her head* “Hey, talking about this is depressing the hell out of me.  I’ve moved on to newer pastures.  If you want to know the whole story, you’ll ust have to buy a copy of Betrayed…*stares at the ceiling for a moment* “Boy, was I ever.”

*Walks back to stand and replaces microphone* “I can’t say it was a pleasure being here today, because no one likes to admit being an idiot, but it happens.  All I can say is if I pull another idiotic stunt, I sincerely hope my sister will have the courtesy to forgo writing another book about it. I could write a journal about her stupidity, but I haven’t.  *looks backstage and flashes a glare, then exits to applause*

I’d like to thank my sis for being so gracious and honoring her word to be my guest today.  Betrayed http://www.amazon.com/author/gingersimpson. 
is available on my Amazon page at

Now, hop on over to the other participants and appreciate what they have to share:






Thursday, June 11, 2015

FRIDAY FREEBITS WITH GINGER #frifreebits


The following is a true story...a name has been changed to protect the innocent...uh, injured,and hopefully explain why I have no post planned.
I'd just finished my physical therapy for the primary lympedema the doctor diagnosed. I fastened my seat belt and turned to my husband.  "Before we start home, are we going by the kids house?"
"Yeah, if you're feeling up to it."  Kelly started the truck. "I need to pick up my tarp and hooks in case it rains.
"I feel fine, so let's do it.  I'm not sure what lymphedema entails, but the massage and leg wraps sure feel good. Even though I love Heidi, I'm just not so sure treatment is worth driving over an hour each way."
"If it helps, you need to keep coming, Greta."  He pulled into our kid's driveway and stopped behind their truck.
I jumped out of the truck and started for the house while Kelly looked for the tarp our DIL said she'd leave in the p/u bed.  I knew there was a lip on the concrete, but totally forgot until my toe caught on it and I greeted the cement with a loud "oomph."
"Damn it."  Hubby rushed to my side.  "Are you all right? Roll over on your back."
I had no air in my lungs as I hadn't breathed since landing on my knees and skinning the palms on both hands.  Everything stung.  "Just let me lay here  minute. I'm still trying to grasp reality."
When my breath returned and I was able to roll over and sit up, I peered at my red and blood-dotted palms, then examined my knee. OMG.  The pain overcame the surprise of splatting flat on the cement patio.  I was so stunned, I didn't even care if anyone saw.
"You need help up?  Hubby offered a hand.  "You looked like you fell in slow motion."
I accepted his help and stood on wobbly and painful legs Slow motion, my ass, the ground came up and met me so fast, I never saw it coming, but I somehow managed to navigate the steps up the deck where I was greeted by my grandson...this moment began 6-9 weeks of recuperation...One week of which I have already slept and sat for almost 23 hours of each day of the last week in a recliner because my left leg is swollen and painful.  I'm taking two pain pills every six hours and trying to be a trooper, but in reality, I suspect this is only the beginning for me and falling.
Mercury is no longer in retrograde, and although I never believed in how the alignment of the planets can affect one's life, I'm a believer now.  This has been a painful and stressful time and I have no other explanation.  I could write a book.

Jump over to my friend Juliet Waldon's page and see if she's fairing better than I am.
at the ER

My new attire...big enough to fit my linebacker leg.







Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Have You Considered Bone Marrow Donation? by Jamie Hill

The caption for the video below reads, "Less than 500 people in the United States have Diamond-Blackfan anemia, a life-threatening blood disease. One family in St. Louis County represents four of those cases, the children of Tim and Maggie Murry. All four of the Murry's sons, Sean, Patrick, Danny, and Timmy were diagnosed with the disease at birth. All of the boys will need bone marrow transplants as the only hope for living long, healthy lives."

Tim Murry was a classmate and friend of mine in elementary and high school. I wasn't aware of his children's disease until a few years ago when Tim asked for help organizing a Bone Marrow Drive in my town, (where he grew up and I still live.) I agreed and called upon several other friends and former classmates to help out. We held the drive at three local churches one Sunday morning. It was relatively easy, a matter of helping people fill out some simple paperwork and showing them how to swab the inside of their cheek. There's an age limit, donors must be between 18 and 55 years of age, so lots of people older than that donated money instead.

Later we found out that several matches were made from our drive, though sadly none for the Murry brothers. Their loving extended family continues to organize bone morrow drives across Kansas and Missouri in hopes of finding a match. I believe they told me that one match could help two of their boys with similar blood types (or something along those lines.) The boys are smart, sweet and stinkin' cute. How can anyone resist wanting to help after you watch the video below? (It's only two minutes long.) 
 
 
 
My heart goes out to the Murry family. I'm proud to call Tim and his pretty wife Maggie my friends. I gladly swabbed and encourage everyone within the age bracket to do so. It can be done by mail in the privacy of your own home if there are no drives near you. Find the details at: http://www.deletebloodcancer.org/

The goal is to save lives. With your help, that goal is possible. So com'on! Get swabbed!

Jamie Hill
http://bookswelove.net/authors/hill-jamie/
 
 






Tuesday, June 9, 2015

USING INDIAN SIGN LANGUAGE BY GINGER SIMPSON

Since I consider myself a western historical author, don't be surprised if a lot of my posts from now on deal with the American Indians of the past.  I'm stealing a few of my old posts from my western blog, Cowboy Kisses, because I didn't get much exposure in 2011.  So...enjoy learning a little history.  :)

I'd love to be able to greet you in American Indian sign language, but the gestures were limited to only the most common words.

So many languages were spoken among the plains Indians, and most were radically different from one another, so the only way tribes could communicate among themselves was through the use of their hands. Sign language proved an effective means of communication for simple needs.

Since horses were such an important part of all tribes and a demonstration of wealth and success, it stands to reason the gesture of the index and third finger of the right hand straddling the index finger of the left was something often seen.

Trading buffalo skins for food or identifying oneself and tribe would be fine examples of times when sign language might be used. Eventually fur traders, trappers, and soldiers who came to the plains learned enough sign language to be able to freely communicate.  Each tribe had their own way of introducing themselves.  For example:  A Crow warrior declaring his tribe would hold his fist against his forehead with the palm side out.  A Commanche would imitate a snake's movement with a finger, and a member of the Sioux tribe would move their hand across their neck in a cutting motion.

Words were determined by varying factors: location, movement, handshape, and orientation.

Location = where the hand is placed...for example in front of the face as opposed to in front of the lower body.

Movement involves the way the hands move when forming the sign.  Some require slashing motions while others are stationary, or move either above the head or arch to the side. 

Handshape is determined just as it sounds; the shape the hand takes on when signing.  For example, "I Know" reqires the hand to form the 'L' shape.

Orientation refers to the placement of the palm and the role one might play when acting as a base from which the other hand moves.   

Unless you take a class and learn the ins and outs, it all sounds pretty confusing to me.  So, I would recommend you learn only one sign.  To describe my blog, you would demonstrate "good" by placing the right hand horizontally in front of the breast, and move it forward. That's all you need to say.  :)

Since I can't say what I want in Indian Sign, I'll just use a beautiful graphic to get my thoughts across.  Of course, he's signing buffalo, but I couldn't find one that was saying 'good-bye'...so just imagine someone waving.  :)

www.hamilton.edu



Romance Reviews

The Romance Reviews